WhatsApp wins privacy trial with the jury’s help against Pegasus spyware owners
Back when it was active, the company that sold the spyware (NSO Group) was selling it to governments for use. #spyware #whatsapp #privacy #ios #android #smartphone
WhatsApp wins court case against Pegasus spyware makers. Image: WhatsApp.
Remember the spyware called Pegasus?
This sophisticated and invasive spyware was the talk of the town just a few years ago because it could snoop around iOS and Android devices and even remotely control them. The way it attacked (zero-click exploit) was also concerning because it did not require any input from the user to become infected. More importantly, the company that sold the spyware, NSO Group, was selling it to governments for use.
We’ve previously covered PSAs by Apple (twice) and WhatsApp urging users to patch the vulnerability that Pegasus exploited. But it didn’t end there.
As of 6 May 2025, WhatsApp's owner, Meta, declared that it had finally won its U.S. court case against the spyware’s owner, NSO Group. It won with the help of the jury, and it’s also notable that a digital privacy case went in favour of the users.
To quote from WhatsApp’s published statement:
“Today, the jury’s decision to force NSO, a notorious foreign spyware merchant, to pay damages is a critical deterrent to this malicious industry against their illegal acts aimed at American companies and the privacy and security of the people we serve,” — WhatsApp.
WhatsApp also detailed how the trial against NSO Group uncovered that Pegasus was also targeting several other companies and exploiting their vulnerabilities. The spyware owners also spent “tens of millions of dollars” per year to find and implement ways where they can install Pegasus through instant messages, browsers, operating systems, which are still effective against un-updated iOS and Android devices to this day.
Per its statement, WhatsApp said it’s still a long way from collecting any damages (money). Still, the messaging platform intends to donate part of it to digital rights advocacy groups and secure a court order to stop NSO Group from coming after WhatsApp.
Before you go, remember to check out our basic tips on preventing cyberattacks at home, protecting your online tools and accounts, and conducting basic digital defence here.
Source: WhatsApp (Meta)
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